The Lilywhites have lurched from the all-out attack policy from Harry Redknapp to the tactical style of Andre Villas-Boas.

Sherwood, like all managers, has his own style of play and he admitted after the 1-0 loss to Arsenal that he is plotting his summer moves.

“I have ideas of what I want to do in the summer,” he said. “I know how I want to play the game and it’s not entirely what you see out there but I’m working with what I’ve got.

“Some of these players play national teams and are world class players but they might not be my cup of tea.

“That is the fact of football. Everyone has got different blends and methods. I’m working game to game to try and win as many points as I can.”

Sherwood did not make any signings in January, preferring to stick with the squad he inherited from the Portuguese coach, and he admitted that he is going against his principles in order to gain results.

“This is not how I want my teams to play,” he explained. “I’ve not got time for that.

“I appreciate Tottenham have to win games. I’m sure the chairman would love to be the Europa League next year and that’s a fact and I want to win as many games as I can.

“I think the building process has to start in pre-season and then getting your own players in and looking at the ones you need to keep and maybe move a few on.

“That’s what managers are there to do when you want to build something.

“I’m not crying about it. I knew what I was coming into and it’d be very difficult and it’s proved to be that but I’ve been dealt a hand and I’m playing the players accordingly.

On his preferred style of football he added: “We’d be here too long. I wouldn’t want to bore you but it’s a little bit different to what it is at the moment.”

One man who seems set to figure centrally in Sherwood’s plans for next year is Emmanuel Adebayor, who the Spurs boss described as ‘world class’.

It’s been a season of two halves for the Togo international; from being frozen out by Villas-Boas to being the fulcrum of Tottenham’s attacking play.

Aside from him, only Hugo Lloris stands out to Sherwood as a player capable of matching the world’s best, although he is still working out how they tick.

“I think Adebayor is world class,” Sherwood said. “We’re playing to him as much as we can. He’s got that world class mentality. He’s a true leader.

“I’m not worried on what’s happened previously. I’m going on what I’ve seen since I’ve been here and he’s an example to everyone.

“The goalie certainly is and a few others in and around it. I’m still learning about a few of them.”

Head coach Peter Breen says Hampstead have been driven on to improve by Belsize Park’s progress, and he believes a new local rivalry will help to get the best out of his side as the two clubs prepare to meet in Saturday’s derby clash.

Tottenham ended their run of defeats at Wembley Stadium by beating CSKA Moscow 3-1, finishing third in Group E of the Champions League and thereby qualifying for the last 32 of the Europa League. Here are five talking points.